The latest in recycling energy technology, this prosthetic foot was developed and detailed by Steven H. Collins from the Department of Bio-mechanical Engineering, Delft University of Technology and Arthur D. Kuo from Departments of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan. This artificial foot recycles electricity using a micro-controller that operates a device which stores energy from the down step and then releases it on the up step, similar to the ankle movement of a human ankle. According to research, subjects who use an artificial ankle increase their net metabolic energy expenditure by 23% as compared to normal walking. This ankle however, helps reduce that amount to just 14%.
This development will prove to be a great advantage to those who use prosthetic feet with its energy recycling capabilities.